A tropical storm warning is in effect for Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe and the surrounding islands...and St. Martin...St. Kitts...Nevis...Antigua...Barbuda...Montersrrat...and Anguilla...Saba...St. Eustatius...and St. Maarten.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Brittish Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area...generally within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in Hispaniola and Cuba should monitor the progress of Isaac.

Total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are possible over the northern Windward islands and the Leeward Islands. Total rain accumulations of 1-3 inches with maximum amounts of 6 inches are possible over Puerto rico and the Virgin Islands.

Distant tropical threat on GOP radar

Forecasters are keeping a wary eye on Tropical Storm Isaac in the Atlantic Ocean that poses a potential threat to Florida during next week's Republican National Convention in Tampa.

National Hurricane Center computer models Tuesday predicted the storm would grow into a hurricane over the next few days. Some models had the storm striking Florida or passing close after moving across Cuba as early as Sunday.

Forecasters caution that long-range storm track predictions can be off by hundreds of miles. A hurricane hunter plane confirmed the storm Tuesday.

Thousands of Republicans will gather in Tampa next week to nominate Mitt Romney for president and Paul Ryan for vice president. GOP and Tampa officials say they have contingency plans in case a storm blows through.